Isleta Casino Employee Benefits

By Joyce Hanson. Law360 (January 17, 2020, 8:53 PM EST) - New Mexico's high court has favored a tribal casino in a workers' compensation suit brought by a former employee, saying the tribe didn't. A worker who was injured at a tribal casino in New Mexico is not entitled to workers compensation benefits through the state, despite her employer’s lack of a comp program. Isleta Resort & Casino is currently closed due to COVID-19. COVID-19 UPDATES. Monthly Free Play Offers (offers based on carded play) Silver. Benefit program that utilizes objective criteria to establish methods of compensation, salary ranges and rates of compensation. Acts as administrator for health, dental and vision benefits for the Pueblo of Isleta and the Isleta Casino & Resort. Ensures that the benefits program addresses the needs of employees while enabling the. Employee Health Plan or make changes to my benefits? A: Open enrollment is held every year in the fall. During this time you can enroll or make changes to your benefits. All changes to Archbold Medical Center Employee Health Plan coverage must be made during open enrollment, unless a qualifying event occurs during the course of the year.

Posted by Josett D. Monette and Tierra Marks.

On January 16, 2020, the New Mexico Supreme Court issued a significant and unanimous win for tribal sovereign immunity in Mendoza v. Isleta Resort & Casino, et al. 2020-NMSC-006.

Mendoza began in the New Mexico State Workers’ Compensation Administration (“WCA”) when an employee of Isleta Resort & Casino, an entity of the Pueblo of Isleta, filed an untimely worker’s compensation claim with her employer, which was denied. Rather than appeal that decision within the tribal system, the employee chose to file a claim with a different forum, the WCA. After filing her claim in the WCA, Barnhouse Keegan Solimon & West LLP (“BKSW”) entered a special appearance on behalf of Isleta Resort and its insurers to contest the WCA’s jurisdiction over an on-the-job injury that occurred within the Pueblo’s sovereign jurisdiction.

The WCA dismissed the employee’s claim for lack of jurisdiction, referencing the Pueblo’s tribal sovereign immunity. The employee appealed the WCA decision to the New Mexico Court of Appeals, which overturned the WCA. BKSW then filed a petition for review with the New Mexico Supreme Court, which was granted, and led to the New Mexico Supreme Court reversing the Court of Appeals and instead affirming the WCA’s dismissal of the employee’s claim for lack of jurisdiction.

At the New Mexico Supreme Court, BKSW was successful on all three questions presented: (1) Whether the Pueblo of Isleta, in entering the 2015 Indian Gaming Compact (“Compact”), expressly and unequivocally waived its tribal sovereign immunity to permit jurisdiction shifting of workers’ compensation claims originating on tribal land to the WCA; (2) whether the employee as a non-party to the Compact, can challenge the Pueblo’s compliance with the Compact; and (3) whether Isleta Resort, an entity of the Pueblo of Isleta, is indispensable to a lawsuit against its workers’ compensation insurers.

The Court held: (1) the Compact, negotiated pursuant to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and entered into by the State of New Mexico and the Pueblo, did not have any jurisdiction shifting language or any express and unequivocal waiver of the Pueblo’s sovereign immunity that would allow an employee to pursue a claim originating on tribal land with the WCA; (2) no private right of action exists for the employee, who was not a party to the Compact, to enforce the terms of the Compact; and (3) the Pueblo is an indispensable party to an action against its insurer and cannot be joined because sovereign immunity protects the Pueblo from litigating in state court.

The Court commented on the Pueblo’s obligation under the Compact to provide employee benefits, including workers’ compensation coverage to its employees, which as argued in this case, the Pueblo does have a worker’s compensation program and an appeal process for its employees, including those of Isleta Resort. While there are still ongoing disputes in the WCA over claims originating on tribal land, the New Mexico Supreme Court has reaffirmed the tribe’s sovereign immunity in this matter and reiterates that federal law prevents states from redefining the doctrine of tribal sovereign immunity.

Pursuant to the Mendoza case, Kelli J. Keegan, the firm’s managing partner, stated:

At its core, this case was about the Pueblo of Isleta’s inherent tribal sovereignty — its right to apply its own workers’ compensation program to its own employees and the right to enforce that program in its own forum, … This opinion recognizes and respects this important sovereign right.

The entire Opinion can be found here.

Listen to the oral arguments here.

Welcome to the Pueblo of Isleta Human Resources Website

Each employee plays an important role, directly or indirectly, with the public services of residents here at the Pueblo of Isleta.

It is the mission of the Human Resources Department to support the various departments of the Pueblo through planning, implementing, and promoting human resources programs and practices that enhance the Pueblo’s ability to attract, develop, reward and retain an exceptional staff. There are many employment opportunities here at the Pueblo of Isleta.

The Pueblo employs more than 500 employees who provide various services to our community. Visit the Career Opportunities page to see various exciting opportunities.

Working for the Pueblo

The Pueblo of Isleta is committed to providing employees with the most comprehensive and reasonable priced benefit packages. We offer a wide variety of employment benefits with the choices and options necessary to keep you and your family healthy, well and active with fun. The following is a summary of the benefits currently available to full-time and part-time employees.

Healthcare & Welfare Benefits

The Pueblo of Isleta offers competitive healthcare & welfare benefits to our employees. The Pueblo of Isleta is also one of only a few employers in the State of New Mexico who offers an on-site health clinic for employees for non-medical emergencies free of charge.

Isleta Casino Employee Benefits Discounts

Summary of Benefits

• Health Care Plan for Individual & Family
• Dental Plan
• Vision Plan
• Flex Spending Account
• 401K Plan
• Whole & Term Life Insurance
• Long Term & Short Term Disability
• Supplemental Healthcare Plans
• Workman’s Compensation
• Employee Assistance Program
• Domestic Partner Benefits

Employee Total Rewards Program Continues

Pueblo of Isleta & Isleta Pueblo Housing Authority employees can enjoy discounts, tickets, and coupons to utilize at various local entertainment venues

Contact

Pueblo of Isleta
Human Resources
P.O. Box 1270
Isleta, NM 87022

(505) 869-7584 Office
(505) 869-7579 Fax
poiemployment@Isletapueblo.com

Stephanie Wilson
HR Representative
stephanie.wilson@isletapueblo.com

Natasha Jiron
HR Generalist/WIOA & Intern Coordinator
natasha.jiron@isletapueblo.com

Isleta Casino Employee Benefits Program

Yvonne Santos
Benefits & Compensation Specialist
yvonne.santos@isletapueblo.com